The authors analysed clinically 44 cases of ophthalmia neonatorum from april, 1981 to march 1982. The followings are it's results; 1) Bilaterality of ophthalmia neonatorum was 52. 3%(23 cases) and unilaterality was 47.7%(21 cases), which was no significant difference in incidence between both eyes. 2) The most common causative organism was gonococcus and nasolacrimal duct obstruction was associated with 11 cases(25%) of ophthalmia neonatorum. 3) The onset of discharge varied between under 24 hours and over 21 days after birth with a mean of 5.7 days. 4) Treatment with adequate topical and systemic antibiotics were successful in eliminating the ophthalmia neonatorum.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Nasolacrimal Duct ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae ; Ophthalmia Neonatorum ; Parturition

It has been reported that 2.5% povidone-iodine solution was an effective antimicrobial agent on the conjunctivae of newborns and caused less toxicity than silver nitrate eye drops. The effectiveness and the safety of 1% povidoneiodine solution, a lower concentration solution, were evaluated on ophthalmia neonatorum prophylaxis. A bacterial culture was taken from each conjunctiva of 70 neonates within 30 minutes after birth. A drop of each of the two agents, which were randomly chosen among 1% povidone-iodine solution, 2.5% povidone-iodine solution. and 1% silver nitrate eye drops, was placed on each conjunctiva. Conjunctival bacterial cultures were again taken two to four hours after birth. Before the first culture and at 24 hours after birth, the eyes were examined for toxic changes. To evaluate the effectiveness of the medications, the numbers of bacterial species and colonyforming units from each culture were compared. All three agents significantly reduced the numbers of species and colonyforming units(p<0.02). Two povidone-iodine solutions did not show significant ocular toxicity(p>0.7) but silver nitrate eye drop did(p<0.02). Therefore, it was found that 1% povidone-iodine solution as well as 2.5% povidone-iodine solution are effective antibacterial agents on the conjunctivae of newborns and cause less toxicity than silver nitrate eye drops.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Conjunctiva ; Endophthalmitis* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Ophthalmia Neonatorum* ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Parturition ; Povidone-Iodine* ; Silver Nitrate

1. Contribution of community medicine to prevention of blindness. Efforts to prevent blindness have been made by health agencies in many countries and have made great contribution in preventing needless loss of sight from various causes. 1) By requiring the administration of silver nitrate to prevent sore eyes in babies, the incidence of ophthalmia neonatorum has dropped remarkably. 2) By requiring blood tests for syphilis for both the prospective bride and groom before marrage, the incidence of blindness due to syphilis has been dropped. 3) By checking the overuse of oxygen among premature babies in newborn nurseries, blindness due to retrolental fibroplasia was greatly reduced. 4) Blindness due to hereditary factors has been prevented by giving genetic counseling. 5) Occupational or industrial health programs have contributed in preventing blindness due to poisons or injuries which are likely to occur in the industrial setting. 6) Effective communicable disease control has resulted in a decrease in blindness. 7) Effective nutritional programs have contributed to the prevention of blindness from nutritional deficiencies. 8) Eye screening resulting in early detection and treatment in schools was a great help in reducing blindness. 2. Recommendations for prevention of blindness. 1) Active community health education programs should be instituted. 2) Training of health professions in prevention of blindness should be strengthend. 3) Community participation in the programs for early detection, diagnosis and treatment should be encouraged by stimulating the community.
Blindness* ; Communicable Disease Control ; Community Medicine* ; Consumer Participation ; Diagnosis ; Genetic Counseling ; Health Education ; Health Occupations ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Malnutrition ; Mass Screening ; Nurseries ; Occupational Health ; Ophthalmia Neonatorum ; Oxygen ; Poisons ; Retinopathy of Prematurity ; Silver Nitrate ; Syphilis